Orchidology
/ˌɔːr.kɪˈdɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The study of orchids.
Did you know?The first element comes from Greek orchis, meaning “testicle,” because the orchid’s root tubers were thought to resemble them, a shockingly literal image that gave the flower its name.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
órkhis (ὄρχις)
“testicle; also the orchid plant, from the shape of its tubers”
Late Greek
Gk
-logia (-λογία)
“study, discourse, collection of knowledge”
Modern Scientific Latin
Latin
orchidologia
“the study of orchids”
19th Century
English
orchidology
“the scientific study of orchids”
Modern English
English
orchidology
“the study of orchids”
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